Hexagonal abutment implant system

ABSTRACT

A dental implant assembly containing an integrally-formed abutment which has a top section, a bottom section integrally joined to the top section, and a passageway extending through these sections. The passageway is formed by a series of sixed stepped bores which initially decrease in size and then increase in size. The top section of the abutment has a cross-sectional shape substantially like a polygon; the shape is formed by alternating linear and arcuate walls.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A dental implant abutment to which a dental implant may be fastened.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dental implants have been known, and used, since at least the 1930's;see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,254 of Joel L. Rosenlicht. See also U.S.Pat. No. 5,145,371 of Lars Jorneus which discusses the osseointegrationmethod of integrating a dental implant into a patient's jaw. Thedisclosure of each of these patents is hereby incorporated by referenceinto this specification.

Dental implants are moderately expensive. It often costs from aboutthree to four thousand dollars to implant a tooth into a patient'smouth.

One of the reasons for this substantial cost is the multiplicity ofsteps required by the implant procedure. These prior art steps will bedescribed below with reference to Nobelpharma catalog PRI 385 94.03 2ndedition (published by the Nobelpharma AB, Box 5190, S-402 26 Goteborg,Sweden).

In the first step of the prior art procedure, an implant or "fixture" ispurchased; see, e.g., page 7 of the Nobelpharma catalog and thereference to the 3.75 mm and 4.0 mm titanium fixtures illustrated onsuch page.

The fixture so purchases must then be placed into an "instrument set forfixture placement", which is shown on page 22 of the Nobelpharmacatalog.

Once the fixture is disposed in the "instrument set . . .", a "fixturemount" is then attached to the fixture by means of a wrench and ascrewdriver. The "fixture mount" devices are shown on page 22 of theNobelpharma catalog. The instruments for fixture placement of thefixture are also shown on page 22 of the Nobelpharma catalog (see wrenchpart 17 and screwdriver part 19).

Thereafter, a "connection to contra-angle handpiece" (see part 11 onpage 22 of the Nobelpharma catalog) is attached to a handpiece (see page31 of the Nobelpharma catalog); and the implant assembly may then bedriven into the jawbone of a patient.

Thereafter, the fixture mount is removed from the fixture. Thereafter, acover screw (see page 9 of the Nobelpharma catalog) is inserted into thefixture. Thereafter, the surgical site is allowed to heal for from about3 to about 6 months. See, e.g., Branemark/Zarb/Alberektsson: "TissueIntegrated Prostheses" (Quintessence Books, 1985).

After the healing period, the implant is exposed by surgical procedures,and the cover screw is removed. Thereafter, a healing abutment (see page39 of the Nobelpharma catalog) is attached to the fixture. It generallyis left in place for from about two to about three weeks, depending uponhow the patient's tissue has healed.

Thereafter, the healing abutment is then removed, and a implant abutmentis then attached to the fixture. The type of implant abutment to be usedwill depend on the requirements of the patient. Thus, e.g., andreferring to pages 38 and 39 of the Nobelpharama catalog, one maystandard abutment, and "EsthetiCone" abutment, a "CeraOne" abutment, a"Ball Attachment", an "Angulated Abutment", and the like.

Thereafter, the desired prosthesis is formulated by conventional means.Once the prosthesis has been prepared, it is fitted to the patient'smouth secured to the implant.

It will be apparent that this prior art procedure requires a myriadnumber of prosthetic instruments and parts, many trips by the patient tothe dentist, and a several surgical procedures. Not only is the processtedious and expensive, but each surgical procedure introduces a certainelement of risk, pain, and suffering.

It is an object of this invention to provide a process for implanting aprosthesis in a patient's mouth which is substantially less expensive,safer, and less-time consuming than the prior art procedures.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel dentalabutment.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel carrierfor such abutment.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel healingball which may be used with the abutment of this invention.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel O-ringattachment system for securing dentures within a patient's mouth.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a a novel goldcylinder which may be used with the abutment of this invention.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel bar clipattachment system for securing a denture within a patient's mouth.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel fixed,detachable implant supported bridge.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a novel goldcoping device for use with the implant abutment of this invention.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a process forattaching a prosthesis to a patient which process is substantially moreaccurate than prior art processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a novel abutmentwhich is preferably an integrally-formed, sleeve-shaped elementcontaining a lower portion and an upper portion. The exterior of thelower portion of the abutment contains an annular groove disposedbetween its base and the main, substantially polygonal portion of theabutment body. The sleeve of the abutment preferably contains roundedcorners which are compatible with the oral tissue and its functions inthe patient's mouth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description thereof, when read in conjunction withthe attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred abutment of thisinvention;

FIG. 1A is a top view of an abutment with a substantially hexagonalexterior shape;

FIG. 1B is a top view of an abutment with a substantially squareexterior shape;

FIG. 1C is a top view of an abutment with a substantially octagonalexterior shape;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the abutment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the abutment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the abutment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carrier adapted to be used with theabutment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the carrier of FIG. 5 connected to theabutment of FIG. 1, which in turn is connected to an implant fixture,the whole assembly being disposed within a vial;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an abutment retaining screw which canbe used with the abutment of this invention;

FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view illustrating how the retainingscrew of FIG. 6A may be attached to an abutment and an implant fixture.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view an abutment implant assembly being driveninto bone;

FIG. 8 is view of a healing abutment which is adapted to fit over thehexagonal abutment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the healing abutment connected toapplicant's abutment/implant system;

FIG. 9A is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of thehealing abutment connected to applicant's abutment/implant system;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a denture connected to the healingabutment/abutment/implant system of FIG. 9 by means of O-rings;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a the abutment/implant system beingconnected to a standard gold cylinder; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 11 connected via abar and clip to a denture in a patient's mouth;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fixed detachable implant supportedbridge which utilizes applicant's abutment system.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a gold coping device which may be usedwith applicant's abutment system;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the gold coping device of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the gold coping device of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a an exploded perspective view illustrating how the goldcoping device may be attached within a tooth and secured to theabutment; and

FIG. 18 a flow diagram illustrated certain preferred processes of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one preferred abutment 10 isshown. This abutment 10 is preferably an integral structure whichconsists or consists essentially of titanium or titanium alloy.Alternatively, the abutment 10 may consist of gold, silver, palladium,vanadium, cobalt alloy, stainless steel, and the like.

Any of the titanium or titanium alloy materials used in implants may beused to make abutment 10. Thus, by way of illustration and notlimitation, one may use one or more of the materials disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,373,621 (a titanium/aluminum/vanadium alloy), U.S. Pat. No.5,372,660 (a titanium/zirconium alloy), U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,358,529,5,354,390 (a titanium-base microalloy containing at least 98 weightpercent of titanium), U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,264 (a nitrided titaniummaterial), U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,362 (a titanium/aluminum/vanadium alloy),U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,921 (a coated titanium implant), U.S. Pat. No.5,192,323 (a titanium/aluminum/vanadium alloy), and the like. Thedisclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporatedby reference into this specification.

In one preferred embodiment, abutment 10 is machined from pure titaniumwhich, preferably, is originally in the form of a rod. It is preferredthat the titanium used meet the standards set forth in A.S.T.M. StandardF 67-88, "Specification for Unalloyed Titanium for Surgical ImplantApplications." In general, it is also preferred that the material used,regardless of whether it is titanium, titanium alloy, and/or othermaterial, meet the requirements set forth in A.S.T.M. Standard Test F981-87 "Practice for Assessment of Compatibility of Bio Materials(Non-Porous) for Surgical Implants".

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that abutment 10 is comprisedof a hollow core 12 which extends from the top 14 of abutment 10 to itsbottom (not shown in FIG. 1, but see bottom 16 in FIG. 2). The hollowcore 12 is indicated in FIG. 1 by dotted line 18.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that abutment 10 is comprisedof a base 20 is extends upwardly and outwardly from its bottom 16 toform an intermediate ledge 22.

FIG. 2 better illustrates the preferred structure near ledge 22. It willbe seen that, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, ledge 22 isdisposed beneath substantially hexagonal portion 24 of abutment 10.Disposed between substantially hexagonal portion 24 and ledge 22 isannular groove. Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory,applicant believes that this structure provides a more secure attachmentto devices attachable to abutment 10.

Referring again to FIG. 1, and in the preferred embodiment depictedtherein, it seen that the substantially hexagonal portion preferably hasrounded corners. This is also illustrated in FIG. 1A, which is a partialtop view of the structure of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1A, it will be seen that hexagonal portion 24 iscomprised of exterior surface which contains alternating linear portions28 and arcuate portions 30. Without wishing to be bound to anyparticular theory, it is believed that the rounded corners (arcuateportions 30) in this structure are substantially compatible with thepatient's mouth. Thus, e.g., these rounded corners do not irritate thepatient's tongue during eating as much as the sharp corners present onnormal hexagonal structures.

It is preferred that the length of each linear portion 28 besubstantially equal to the length of each of the other linear portions28. In one embodiment, the substantially hexagonal shape depicted inFIG. 1 is substantially symmetrical.

It is also preferred that the length of each linear portion 28 be atleast about 1.2 times as long as the length of each curved portion 30.In one preferred embodiment, the length of each linear portion 28 is atleast about 3.0 times as great as the length of each curved portion 30.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the abutment 10 mayhave an exterior shape which need not be substantially hexagonal but mayassume the shape of other polygons. Thus, FIG. 1B depicts asubstantially share cross-sectional shape. Thus, FIG. 1C depicts asubstantially octagonal cross-sectional shape.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, substantially anypolygonal shape can be used which is capable of being mechanicallyengaged. Thus, by way of further illustration, one may use substantiallytriangular shapes, substantially pentagonal shapes, substantiallyheptagonal shapes, substantially nonagonal shapes, and the like. What isrequired of any such shape, however, is that contain alternating linearand non-linear sections (the latter preferably being arcuate) and that,preferably, they define a shape which is symmetrical along at least oneaxis of symmetry.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the abutment 10 of FIG. 1. Referring toFIG. 2, it will be seen that the base 20 of abutment 10 preferably has awidth 42 at its bottom which is substantially less than its width 44 atits top. In general, width 44 is at least about 1.1 times as great aswidth 42. In one preferred, width 44 is 4.7 millimeters, and width 42 is4.0 millimeters.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that base 20 has a depth 46which, preferably, is from about 0.5 to about 7.0 millimeters and, morepreferably, is from about 0.5 to about 1.5 millimeters. In the preferredembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, depth 46 is 1.0 millimeter.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that, near base 20, hollowcore 12 is comprised of stepped bores 48, 50, and 52.

Stepped bore 52 has a diameter 54 sufficient for a screw (not shown) topass through it. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2,stepped bore 52 has a diameter 54 of 2.2 millimeters.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that substantially hexagonalportion 24 extends from the top 14 of abutment 10 to annular groove 26.It is preferred that the distance 56 between top 14 and annular groove26 of abutment 10 extend at least about 55 percent of the entire heightof abutment 10. In one preferred embodiment, distance 56 is about 3.0millimeters.

It is preferred that annular groove 26 have a substantially circularshape and, more preferably, have a radius of curvature 58 of from about0.1 to about 0.2 millimeters. In one preferred embodiment, the radius ofcurvature of groove 26 is about 0.15 millimeters.

Referring again to FIG. 1, and in the preferred embodiment depictedtherein, bore 48 has a diameter 59 of about 3.5 millimeters, bore 60 hasa diameter 62 of about 3.0 millimeters, bore 64 has a diameter 66 at itstop most point of about 3.5 millimeters, the distance 70 between point68 and the end of bore 60 is 2.0 millimeters, and the distance betweensurface 68 and ledge 22 is 3.0 millimeters.

FIG. 3 is a top view of abutment 10. In the preferred embodimentdepicted in FIG. 3, the distance 74 between opposite linear surfaces onthe exterior of the hexagonal sleeve preferably is about 3.9millimeters; and the distance 76 between opposite arcuate surfaces onthe exterior of the hexagonal sleeve is about 4.1 millimeters.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of abutment 10. Referring to FIG. 4, and in thepreferred embodiment depicted therein, it will be seen that borepreferably has a substantially hexagonal cross-sectional shape 78 whichis adapted to mate with the external hexagonal shape of the upperportion of an implant fixture (not shown). In the preferred embodimentshown, the distance 80 between opposing linear walls of said hexagonalshape is preferably 2.7 millimeters.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that bore 63 is disposedbetween bore 60 and bore 52 and has diameter which continually decreasesfrom bore 60 to bore 52, thereby forming a chamfered surface. It ispreferred that said chamfered surface form an obtuse angle (as measuredwith respect to the interior wall 65 of bore 60) of from about 120 toabout 150 degrees.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of carrier 90 which is adapted to beremovably connected to abutment 10 and to manually deliver it into thejaw of a patient.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that carrier 90 is preferably anintegral assembly which, preferably, consists essentially of plasticmaterial which, preferably, is non-toxic and thus is "medical grade".

One may use any of the "medical grade" material known to those skilledin the art such as, e.g., the plastics described in U.S. Pat. No.5,356,709 (polypropylene copolymyer; styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrenecopolymer), U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,251 (medical grade ceramic material),U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,364 (medical grade ceramic), and the like. Thedisclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporatedby reference into this specification.

In one preferred embodiment, carrier 90 consists essentially of highdensity polypropylene which is extruded into the desired shape.

Referring again to FIG. 5, it will be seen that carrier 90 is comprisedof a fin 92, grip 94, and removable cover 96. The fin 92 is comprised ofexternal annular ridges 98 which are adapted to fit within and becontiguous with a shipping vial (not show in FIG. 5). The grip 94 ispreferably comprised of a multiplicity of vertically-extending ridges100 which facilitate the handling of grip 94; and will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, other means of facilitating the handling ofgrip 94 (such as, e.g., roughened surfaces) may also be used.

Within grip 94 is a compartment 101 in which an accessory part (notshown) may be stored. Removable cover 96 is adapted to snap into placewithin such compartment 101.

In one embodiment, removable cover 96 is color coded to indicate whichpart it is to be used in connection with.

A bore 102 (shown in outline by dotted line 104) extends from the top106 of fin 92 to the bottom 108 of fin 92. That portion of bore 102extending through fin 92 has a substantially hexagonal cross-sectionalshape and, thus, is adapted to fit over and engage with thesubstantially hexagonal portion 24 of abutment 10.

In one preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the width 110 of fin92 is about 9.9 millimeters, and maximum dimensional of the hexagonallyshaped bore 102 as it exits fin 92 is about 4 millimeters.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated FIG. 5, the bottom surface 112of the carrier 90 is preferably a flat surface adapted to mesh with theflat surface of ledge 22 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 6) so that the carrier 90is properly aligned with abutment 10 when it is removably connectedthereto.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of carrier 90 connected to abutment 10 which,in turn, is connected to implant fixture 114, the abutment and implantbeing disposed within a vial 116.

Referring to FIG. 6, and in the preferred embodiment illustratedtherein, it will be seen that carrier 90 is removable connected to bothcover 96, vial 116, and abutment 10, all by a friction fit. The entireassembly may be disposed in another vial (not shown). In thisembodiment, the depth 120 of compartment 101 is preferably from about 5to about 10 millimeters, the distance 121 between the top lip 122 andthe bottom surface 124 of the grip 90 is from about 6 to about 12millimeters, and the distance 123 from the top of carrier 90 to itsbottom is from about 10 to 20 millimeters.

Referring again to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the carrier 90/abutment10/vial 16 assembly may be used in conjunction with an implant fixture114. This assembly is quite adaptable and may be used with substantiallyany of the implant fixtures known to those skilled in the art.

Thus, by way of illustration and not limitation, one may use one or moreof the implant fixtures disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,338,197,5,061,181, 5,030,095, 4,960,381, 4,932,868, 4,871,313, 4,854,873,4,854,872, 4,713,004, 4,468,200, 4,330,891, 4,016,651, 3,672,058,3,579,831, 2,609,604, 5,376,004, 5,364,268, 5,362,235, 5,302,125, andthe like. The disclosure of each of these United States patents ishereby incorporated by reference into this specification.

By way of further illustration, and referring to the Nobelpharma catalogreferred to elsewhere in this specification, one may use any of theimplant fixtures disclosed on page 7 of such catalog.

Referring again to FIG. 6, it will be seen that implant fixture 114 ispreferably connected to abutment 10 by means of retaining screw 130. Theretaining screw 130 is shown in more detail in FIG. 6A.

Referring to FIG. 6A, it will be seen that retaining screw 130 iscomprised of an internal bore 132 with internal threads 134 adapted toreceive and engage with the external threads on a multiplicity of dentalprostheses (not shown).

The retaining screw 130 is comprised of tapered section 136 which isadapted to fit within bore 63 (see FIG. 2) and mesh with the taperedsection therein.

The retaining screw 130 is also comprised of external threads which,after they pass through abutment 10, may be secured to internal threads(not shown) in the implant fixture (not shown in FIG. 6A).

FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view illustrating that, afterretaining screw 130 is passed through abutment 10, it may be screwedinto orifice 140 of implant fixture 114 and become screwably engagedwith the internal threads located within orifice 140.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6B, implant fixture 114is comprised of external threads 142 which can be used to secure implantassembly within the jawbone of a patient.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the abutment 10/retaining screw130/implant fixture 114 assembly 150 disposed beneath a socket wrench152 with a hexagonal bore 154. As will be apparent to those skilled inthe art, socket wrench 152 may be removably attached to thesubstantially hexagonal portion 24 of abutment 10 and used to insertassembly 150 into a hole in the patient's jaw. Alternatively, oradditionally, depending upon the amount of force needed, carrier 90 maybe used for this purpose or, alternatively, to start the insertion ofthe assembly 150 in said hole.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the implant fixture has anexterior hexagonal shape; and thus it is adapted to be screwed into thehole in the patient's jaw by a socket wrench with a matching hexagonalbore. It will be apparent, however, that the means of inserting theassembly 150 into the hole in the patient's jaw will vary with the typeof implant 114 used. Thus, for example, when the exterior shape ofimplant 114 is substantially cylindrical, a seating tool (such as amallet) may be used. These procedures are well known to those skilled inthe art.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a healing ball 160 which may be used inconnection with abutment 10. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen thathealing ball 160 is comprised of a removable cover 162.

Healing ball 160 preferably consists essentially of medical gradematerial such as, e.g., medical grade polyethylene. In one preferredembodiment, healing ball 160 consists essentially of high densitypolyethylene.

Referring again to FIG. 8, it will be seen that healing ball 160 iscomprised of an internal bore 164 which has a substantially hexagonalshape and is adapted to fit snugly over the substantially hexagonalportion 24 of abutment 10 (see FIG. 9).

Referring to FIG. 9, and in the preferred embodiment illustratedtherein, it will be seen that healing ball 160 preferably is comprisedof an inwardly-extending annular protuberance 166 which is adapted tofit within and removably secured to annular groove 26. There thus is astrong fit between the mating hexagonal portions and the mating annularportions of healing ball 160 and abutment 10.

In many cases, the healing abutment ball 160 is removed from abutment 10prior to the time any dental device is attached. In some instances,however, it is desired to attach the dental device directly to thehealing ball 160. In this latter case, it is sometimes desirable to moresecurely attach the healing ball 160 to the abutment 10.

One means of more securely making such attachment is illustrated in FIG.9A. Referring to FIG. 9A, it will be seen that a screw 170 may beinserted through healing ball 160 into abutment retaining screw 130.

FIG. 10 illustrates a denture 180 into which two metal rings 182 and 184with O-rings 186 and 188 have been cured into the denture chairside.Such dentures are well known to those skilled in the art and areillustrated on page 21 of the aforementioned Nobelpharma catalog.Furthermore, Nobelpharma also sells an "Overdenture Kit for BallAttachment" (see page 21 of the catalog) which contains a plastic capwith a rubber O-ring, ball attachment replicas, and spacers for the ballattachment.

Referring again to FIG. 10, it will be seen that the metal ring/O-ringassemblies are friction fit over the healing balls 160 to firmly andsecurely removably attach the denture 180 to the implant assembly.

FIG. 11 illustrates how the implant assembly 150 may be used in asimilar manner with a gold cylinder 190. Such a gold cylinder is wellknown to those skilled in the art. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,209,659 (gold cylinder 126), U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,288 (coping 50 havinga bore 52 passing axially therethrough and opening into a polygonalopening at its lower end), U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,371, and the like. Thedisclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporatedby reference into this specification.

It is known that gold cylinders are available for the fabrication ofbar/clip overdentures, for they are designed to fit accurately on thehex abutments and can be incorporated into the bar/clip framework; seeFIG. 12, and the bar clip assembly 192 illustrated therein. As will beapparent to those skilled in the art, this type of over-denture barsystem may be readily connected to implant assemblies 150 attached togold cylinders 190 (see FIG. 11).

Thus, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, applicant'sabutment 10, because of the relative universality of its design, may beused in conjunction with many different types of prostheticapplications. It thus affords the dental practitioner substantially moreflexibility than does the prior art systems, which utilize a substantialnumber of parts which are adapted for specific applications.

Thus, by way of further illustration, and referring to FIG. 13, the goldcylinder devices 190 may be incorporated into a fixed detachable implantsupported bridge 200. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,954, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference into thisspecification.

Referring again to FIG. 13, it will be seen that screws 202 may be usedto secure the bridgework through the gold cylinders to the abutments 10.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a gold coping 210 which may be utilizedto restore a tooth to a patient's mouth. Referring to FIG. 14, it willbe seen that gold coping 210 is comprised of an internal hexagonal bore212 adapted to fit over and engage with hexagonal portion 24 of abutment10 (see FIG. 15). As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whengold coping 210 is placed on abutment 10, there are only six positionsit can be in. By comparison, with prior art abutments which havecylindrical outer surfaces, there are an infinite number of suchpositions.

This system thus has several advantages. Because the gold coping210/abutment 10 connection is locked into place by the interaction ofthe hexagonally-shaped parts, a patient cannot cause the tooth attachedto abutment 10 to rotate upon application of pressure to the tooth. Inthe second place, the gold coping 210 can be utilized as a transfercoping during impression taking and, when so used, because of theinteraction of the hexagonal shapes, accurately reproduces the positionof abutment 10 in the working model.

Referring again to FIG. 14, it will be seen that, in the preferredembodiment illustrated therein, gold coping 210 has a substantiallyrectiliner top shape 214 with rounded corners 216. In one embodiment,the top of gold coping 210 is substantially square-shaped with roundedcorners.

Referring again to FIG. 14, it is preferred that gold coping 210comprise a multiplicity of annular grooves 218. Gold coping 210 also iscomprised of stepped bores 220 and 222.

The gold copying 210 preferably consist essentially of a palladium alloysuch as, e.g., the alloy disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,954, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference into thisspecification. Thus, e.g., one may use a palladium alloy containing fromabout 50 to about 90 weight percent of palladium, from about 0 to about37 weight percent of gold, from about 0 to about 3 weight percent ofplatinum, from about 0 to about 35 weight percent of silver, from about0.5 to about 8 weight percent of gallium, from about 0 to about 8 weightpercent of tin, and up to about 0.2 weight percent of a materialselected from the group consisting of iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, andmixtures thereof.

Referring again to FIG. 14, it is preferred that the bottom portion 224of gold coping 210 be adapted to mesh with a fit onto ledge 22 ofabutment 10 (see FIG. 1).

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the gold coping device of FIG. 14.Referring to FIG. 15, and also to FIG. 14, it will be seen that goldcoping 210 is comprised of a curved neck portion with a radius ofcurvature of about 1.5 millimeters.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, it will be seen thatdistance 230 is preferably 4.7 millimeters, distance 232 is preferably4.2 millimeters, distance 234 is preferably 5.2 millimeters, distance236 is 4.6 millimeters, distance 238 is 2.7 millimeters, distance 240 is4.1 millimeters, distance 242 is 3.1 millimeters, distance 244 is 1.5millimeters, distance 246 is 2.5 millimeters, distance 248 is 2millimeters, distance 250 is 1.5 millimeters, and distance 252 is 1.5millimeters, and distance 254 is 2.8 millimeters.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the gold coping of FIG. 14. Referring to FIG.16, it will be seen that the distance 256 from opposing flat surfaces214 is 4.0 millimeters.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating how a tooth towhich a gold coping 210 has been bonded may be attached to a patient'sjawbone (not shown) by means of the abutment system of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, and in the preferred embodiment depicted, it willbe seen that tooth 270 may be secured to abutment 10 by at least twoseparate means.

In the first place, a screw 272 may be inserted through orifice 22 andsecured to retaining screw 130 by engagement with internal threads 134(not shown in FIG. 17, but see FIG. 6A).

In the second place, dental cement may be charged into the interior ofgold coping 210 prior to the time the gold coping 210 is placed over thehexagonal portion 24 of abutment 10. Thus, in addition to the mechanicalbond created by screw 272, there also is an adhesive bond.

Furthermore, there is yet another bond tending to maintain gold coping210 in position vis-a-vis abutment 10, and that is the interaction oftheir respective hexagonal shapes.

The system depicted in FIG. 17 has the unique advantage that allows theremoval of the tooth 270 from the abutment 10 even after the cement hashardened. In order to do this, screw 272 may be removed by turning itcounterclockwise, and thereafter, utilizing a three-prongedcrown-remover to pull tooth 270 out of the abutment 10 by leveragebetween the top of retaining screw 130 against the smaller taper of 270.

A preferred process of the invention

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of one preferred process of applicant'sinvention.

In the first step of this process, step 300, abutment 10 is connected toimplant fixture 114.

In this step, it is preferred to apply a torque no greater than about 20Newton/centimeter.

Thereafter, in step 302 of the process, a hole is drilled in the jawboneof the patient sufficiently deep to receive only the length of theimplant fixture. In general, this hole is usually from about 8 to about18 millimeters.

Thereafter, in step 304 of the process, the hole thus drilled ispreferably tapped with a tapping tool such as, e.g., the screw tapsillustrated on page 11 of the Nobelpharma catalog.

Thereafter, in step 306 of the process, the abutment/implant fixtureassembly is delivered to the hole by means of the carrier 90. Thecarrier 90 may also be used to start screwing the assembly into thehole, applying downward pressure while turning the assembly.

Generally, the carrier 90 will only enable one to drive theabutment/implant fixture assembly a portion of the required distance.The job may be finished by a power-driven socket wrench in step 308 ofthe process

In the next step of this preferred process, step 310, the healing ball160 is preferably snapped onto the abutment 10 (see FIGS. 9 and 9A). Inone preferred embodiment, the healing ball 160 is disposed withincompartment 101 of carrier 90 prior to its use.

Thereafter, in step 312, the gum tissue where the hole had been drilledis sutured around the healing ball 160.

In the next step of process, step 314, the surgical site is allowed toheal before the abutment 10 is directly or indirectly connected to adenture. In general, a healing period of from about 3 to about 6 monthsis desirable.

After the desired time of healing, no additional surgical procedure isrequired, unlike the prior art process (which necessitated second stagesurgery to remove the cover screw used in the process and to attach theprosthetic abutment). By comparison with prior art processes,applicant's prosthetic abutment is already attached.

At this stage of applicant's process, several options are available.

In one embodiment, illustrated in step 316 (also see FIG. 10), thehealing ball is attached directly to a denture into which metal capswith an O-ring have been cured.

In another embodiment, illustrated in step 318, the healing ball 160 isremoved from the abutment 10. At this stage, several additional optionsare available.

One such option is to attach the gold cylinder 190 on the abutment 10(see FIGS. 11 and 12) in step 320. Once the gold cylinder 190 has beenso attached, one may prepare a bar clip overdenture (see FIG. 12) andattach such denture to the superstructure (see step 322). Alternatively,in step 324, the gold cylinders 190 can be incorporated into a fixeddetachable implant supported bridge and thereafter secured to multipleimplants in place in the jawbone (see FIG. 13).

Alternatively, in step 326, after the healing ball 160 has been removeda gold coping 210 may be attached to a tooth (see, e.g., FIG. 17 wheresuch a gold coping is imbedded in the tooth). Thereafter, in step 328,such tooth is attached to the abutment 10.

It is to be understood that the aforementioned description isillustrative only and that changes can be made in the apparatus, in theingredients and their proportions, and in the sequence of combinationsand process steps, as well as in other aspects of the inventiondiscussed herein, without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A dental implant assembly comprised of an integrally-formedabutment, wherein said abutment is comprised of a top section, a bottomsection integrally joined to said top section, and a passagewayextending through said top section and said bottom section, andwherein:(a) said passageway is formed from a first stepped bore, asecond stepped bore, a third stepped bore, a fourth stepped bore, afifth stepped bore, and a sixth stepped bore, wherein:i. said firststepped bore is adjacent to and is larger than said second stepped bore,ii. said second stepped bore is adjacent to and is larger than saidthird stepped bore, iii. said third stepped bore is adjacent to and islarger than said fourth stepped bore, iiii. said fourth stepped bore isadjacent to and is smaller than said fifth stepped bore, and iiiii. saidfifth stepped bore is adjacent to and is smaller than said sixth steppedbore, (b) said top section has a cross-sectional shape substantiallylike a polygon, wherein said shape is formed by alternating linear andarcuate walls.
 2. The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 1,wherein an arcuate inwardly-extending groove is disposed between saidtop section and said bottom section of said abutment.
 3. The dentalimplant assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said top section has across-section shape substantially like a hexagon.
 4. The dental implantassembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said abutment consistsessentially of titanium.
 5. The dental implant assembly as recited inclaim 3, wherein said abutment consists essentially of titanium alloy.6. The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein saidabutment is comprised of a horizontally-extending ledge disposed beneathsaid top section of said abutment.
 7. The dental implant assembly asrecited in claim 3, wherein said hexagonal shape is defined by sixsubstantially equal linear sections and six substantially equal arcuatesections.
 8. The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 7, whereineach of said substantially equal linear sections is at least three timesas long as each of said substantially equal arcuate sections.
 9. Thedental implant assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said abutment iscomprised of a base.
 10. The dental implant assembly as recited in claim9, wherein said base extends upwardly and outwardly from its bottom toits top.
 11. The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid sixth stepped bore has a cross-sectional shape of a hexagon. 12.The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said firststepped bore is defined by an inwardly-extending chamfered surface. 13.The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said thirdstepped bore is defined by an inwardly-extending chamfered surface. 14.The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said implantassembly further comprises a retaining screw disposed within said firststepped bore, said second stepped bore, said third stepped bore, saidfourth stepped bore, said fifth stepped bore, and said sixth steppedbore.
 15. The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 14, whereinsaid retaining screw is comprised of a seventh bore comprising aninterior threaded surface.
 16. The dental implant assembly as recited inclaim 15, wherein said retaining screw is attached to an implantfixture.
 17. The dental implant assembly as recited in claim 16, whereina fastener is removably attached within said seventh bore of saidretaining screw.